“We look forward to acknowledging our students for the amazing work they are doing to overcome the many obstacles that stand in the way of their path,” says Michele Gray, executive director of Willamette Academy. “We are proud to have our students, alumni and Willamette University volunteers all participate in presenting.”

For more than 12 years, the academy has helped local first-generation students graduate from high school and attend the colleges of their choice. Gray says 100 percent of the students who partake in after-school, weekend and summer programs graduate and successfully attend college.